Relevance of stem and crown defects to estimate tree vigour in northern hardwood forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 630-640
Author(s):  
Guillaume Moreau ◽  
Alexis Achim ◽  
David Pothier
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Crown Density ◽  
Tree Vigour

Abstract The visual assessment of tree vigour before partial cutting is a key element of the long-term sustainability of managed hardwood forests. Several classification systems have been developed and applied to perform this task during the tree marking process. They segregate trees in different vigour classes based on the presence and severity of stem and crown defects. Yet, the relevance of using these defects to assess tree vigour has rarely been empirically validated. In this study, we analysed the relationships between quantitative vigour indicators and a full range of individual defects using 336 sugar maple and 84 yellow birch trees. Among the tested defects, the tree crown density showed the best ability to identify slow growing, non-vigorous sugar maple trees, regardless of their size. However, none of the stem-related defects, such as bark aspect, the presence of cambial necrosis or conks and stromata were strongly related to our quantitative vigour indicators. For yellow birch, none of the stem defects and crown conditions were found to be related to our vigour indicators. We conclude that, pending longitudinal studies that will provide a full empirical validation of classification systems, crown density should be used to assess recent growth and vigour of sugar maple trees and guide tree marking.

scholarly journals Tolerant hardwood natural regeneration 15 years after various silvicultural treatments on an industrial freehold of northwestern New Brunswick

2013 ◽  
Vol 89 (04) ◽  
pp. 512-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Béland ◽  
Bruno Chicoine
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Betula Alleghaniensis ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
American Beech ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Selection Cutting

We examined applicability of various partial cutting systems in order to regenerate tolerant hardwood stands dominated by sugar maple (Acer saccarhum), American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) on northern New Brunswick J.D. Irving Ltd. freehold land. Sampling of 1065 one-m2 plots in 31 stands managed by selection cutting, shelterwood method and strip or patch cutting and in six control stands allowed a 15-year retrospective study of natural regeneration in stands of low residual densities and with minimal soil disturbance and no control of competing vegetation. Beech regeneration was most abundant in the patch cuts, yellow birch in shelterwood stands and sugar maple in the selection system areas. Results suggest that initial stand conditions influence the composition of the regeneration more than the prescribed treatment. At the stand scale (a few hectares), sugar maple recruitment was positively influenced by its proportion in the initial stand, and negatively by the cover of herbs and shrubs. Yellow birch regeneration was mainly affected by shrub competition. At the plot (1 m2) scale, mineral soil and decayed wood substrates and ground-level transmitted light were determinant factors for yellow birch regeneration. Beech-dominated stands were likely to regenerate to beech. A dense beech sucker understory was promoted in harvested patches. Areas with dense understory of American beech, shrubs, or herbs require site preparation to reduce interference either before or at the time of partial cutting. Shelterwood seed cutting and selection cutting should leave a residual of 12 m2/ha and 17 m2/ha respectively in seed trees uniformly distributed.

scholarly journals Decaying Logs as Germination Sites in Northern Hardwood Forests

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory G. McGee ◽  
John P. Birmingham
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Tree Regeneration ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Soil Scarification

Abstract While several authors have noted tree regeneration on decaying logs, the role that "nurse logs" play in maintaining tree diversity in eastern North American forests has remained unquantified. We sampled small seedling (≤ 5 cm high) densities of seven tree species on and directly adjacent to logs in two northern hardwood stands in the Adirondack mountains of New York. Polar ordination of 42 microsite plots revealed distinctly different small seedling communities on logs vs. forest floor. Yellow birch and red spruce densities were 24 times and 5 times greater on logs than forest floor, while those of sugar maple and striped maple were 8 times and 4 times greater on the forest floor. Maintaining a natural level (~5% ground cover) of well distributed logs can supplement site preparation techniques such as soil scarification to provide regeneration sites for yellow birch and red spruce, particularly in heavily stocked northern hardwood stands. North. J. Appl. For. 14(4):178-182.

A simple system for classifying sugar maple vigour and quality

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 900-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm J.L. Cecil-Cockwell ◽  
John P. Caspersen
Keyword(s):  
Classification System ◽  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Northern Hardwood ◽  
Commercial Logging

In northern hardwood forests, treemarkers are responsible for selecting the trees to be harvested during commercial logging operations. They often select trees based on the presence and severity of defects, information that is used to assign trees to two or more vigour classes (reflecting the risk of dying or declining in growth) and two or more quality classes (reflecting the potential for recovering valuable sawlogs). Using these classes can simplify the tree selection process, but some classification systems may include superfluous classes beyond what is required to explain the variation in tree value. In this paper, we present a parsimonious classification system for sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) trees using formal classification analyses of empirical product recovery data. We also calculated the net value of trees in each class and assessed which defects affect tree value. Our results show that relatively few defects affect tree value, indicating that treemarkers should use a simpler classification system to describe the vigour and quality of trees. Specifically, we found that the best system contains just three classes: high vigour-high quality, low vigour-high quality, and low vigour-low quality. The use of this simple, easily implemented system would improve the ability of treemarkers to recognize the value of sugar maple trees when selecting the trees to be harvested during commercial logging operations.

Complex drivers of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) regeneration reveal challenges to long-term sustainability of managed northern hardwood forests

2021 ◽  
Vol 479 ◽  
pp. 118541
Author(s):  
Catherine R. Henry ◽  
Michael B. Walters ◽  
Andrew O. Finley ◽  
Gary J. Roloff ◽  
Evan J. Farinosi
Keyword(s):  
Acer Saccharum ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Hardwood Forests ◽  
Northern Hardwood Forests ◽  
Northern Hardwood

Dynamique forestière après coupe partielle dans la Forêt expérimentale du Lac Édouard, Parc de la Mauricie, Québec

2003 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 672-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Archambault ◽  
Jean Bégin ◽  
Claude Delisle ◽  
Mathieu Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Forest Dynamics ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Forest Type ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Softwood Species

Forest dynamics following a partial cut conducted in the early 1950s in the Lac Édouard Experimental Forest in the Mauricie National Park, Quebec, Canada, were studied. Changes in vegetation were analyzed for the period between 1946 and 2001 in 109 mesic stands of the sugar maple – yellow birch bioclimatic domain. Three cutting intensities were considered: 1) low intensity, 15–30% of the basal area; 2) moderate intensity, 30–45% of the basal area; and 3) uncut. More than fifty years following cutting, the original relative proportion of the deciduous and softwood species was maintained. The relative proportion of basal area occupied by softwood species relative to the total basal area varied only from 2.0% to 7.4%. Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) basal area increased in forest types Cornus (Co) and Oxalis-Cornus (O-Co) whereas balsam fir basal area decreased. In the Viburnum-Oxalis (Vi-O) forest type, sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) basal area increased and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.) decreased. Cutting areas were not invaded by competition species such as mountain maple (Acer spicatum Lamb.). In the Co and O-Co forest types, the regeneration density is probably sufficient to maintain the current cover type. In the Vi-O forest type, where moderate partial cutting was conducted, the deciduous component could substantially increase. Stands reacted positively to partial cutting. The increased growth of residual stems and the arrival of new stems resulted in 2001 total basal areas that were equal to or larger than those observed before cutting (1946). Key words: forest dynamics, partial cutting, yellow birch, red spruce, balsam fir

Apparent Defect in Second-Growth Tolerant Hardwood Stands in Quebec

1969 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-183
Author(s):  
Carl H. Winget
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Mechanical Injury ◽  
Yellow Birch ◽  
Stem Form ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Clear Cutting ◽  
Residual Sugar ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Tree Quality

Studies of external evidence of defect in second-growth hardwood stands in Quebec indicated that almost 50% of residual sugar maple, yellow birch and beech trees were seriously defective. Mechanical injury, particularly crown damage, and poor stem-form appeared to be the major sources of defect. Advance-growth saplings displayed much less evidence of defect. Clear-cutting systems leaving few poor-quality stems and depending for regenerations either on advance growth or on scarification and seeding seemed preferable to partial cutting. Tree quality classifications and cull studies in hardwood advance growth are required.

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